LSAT 155, Section 3, RC Passage 3, Computer Chips & Peptides

RC Passage 3 Explanation

Paragraph Summaries

1. Living cells are much smaller than computer chips, so it’s possible for computer chips to be even smaller. Scientists Belcher and Hu are investigating peptides to this end.
2. Belcher & Hu’s research determined peptides can be used to build nanoscale electronics. But no peptide was able to bind with semiconductor materials to develop crystalline structures. They found peptides bound exclusively to certain types of crystals, and latched onto certain faces.
3. To use peptides to create circuit-building tools, they need to identify organic compounds that bind to circuit-component materials. They are designing new peptides that bind to two different crystals at once.

Analysis

This passage begins by introducing a problem (can’t make smaller computer chips) and a potential solution (peptides). It then describes two scientists’ research.

The second paragraph is pretty heavy on the science terminology. But basically, it goes over the history of Belcher and Hu’s research, the challenges they faced, and the successes they had.

Paragraph 3 then looks at the future of Belcher and Hu’s research and the next steps to make this peptide method into a practical solution.

Overall, the author’s tone seems to be neutral bordering on optimistic that the scientists’ research will have good results so long as they overcome the challenges mentioned in the third paragraph.